Concerned about your safety at home?

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Independent retirement living communities are designed for seniors who are capable of living on their own and can benefit from an active lifestyle.

For many seniors, the term “retirement community” represents a place where seniors move when they are incapable of living on their own. But independent retirement living communities offer an exciting alternative for seniors 55 and older. Independent retirement living communities are designed for seniors who are capable of living on their own and can benefit from a maintenance-free, active lifestyle.

Unlike assisted living facilities or nursing homes, independent senior living communities do not provide around-the-clock assistance with daily activities like eating, bathing, and dressing. (Though, residents who choose to live at independent retirement communities who may need additional assistance are welcome to acquire third-party home health care services.)

Residents enjoy either large communities under a single roof or campus lifestyle with single-level cottages with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, oversized single-car garages, full kitchens, and the following convenient services and amenities:

Pet Friendly – Why shouldn’t you be able to bring your furry friend?

No Maintenance – Independent Living options help seniors enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle. Yard work and home repairs are chores of the past. Housekeeping and linen services are also provided.

Three Meal Options – Seniors who live alone may not prepare regular, healthy meals. Often times communities may have an executive chef available to provide nutritious meals daily.

Optional Transportation Provided – Leaving the driving to someone else saves money on gas, vehicle maintenance, and insurance costs. With scheduled shuttle service, residents who are unable to drive, or simply wish not to, no longer have to rely on loved ones or use busy public transportation.

Social Opportunities – Multiple studies confirm that social interaction can have a significantly positive impact on a senior’s well-being. Many communities will offer a viable solution with enriching activities, social programs, and volunteer opportunities.

Finally, instead of juggling multiple bills, nearly all services, amenities, and utilities are covered in one convenient monthly rent. There are often no buy-in fees and no hidden costs.

Independent retirement living a lifestyle that many seniors and their families are gladly choosing, not only keeping seniors from losing their freedom, but helping them take some of it back.

Article provided by:
The Ridge at Madrona Hills,
A Holiday Retirement Community
503-967-4985

 

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Urgent care or emergency room? Where to go?

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When you are sick or in pain, it can be hard to make good health care decisions. You just want to feel better as soon as possible.

When you are sick or in pain, it can be hard to make good health care decisions. You just want to feel better as soon as possible.
That’s why understanding the pros and cons of your options today can help you make better choices when it counts.

Your regular doctor’s office is the best place to start when you aren’t well. They know you and your health history best. When you call them about an illness or injury, they can help you choose the tests and treatments that are best tailored to your needs.

But what if you need help at a time that your doctor’s office is closed?
If your problem is not life threatening, you might save time and money by going to an urgent care clinic instead of the emergency department (ED).

Urgent care clinics (also known as convenient care) are designed to see you on the same day that you make the appointment.  They have X-ray and lab services like a hospital, but often without the long wait time or expense of going to the ED.  Local data shows that at least 25 percent of people who go to the emergency department could be treated faster at a clinic.

For example, you might go to an urgent care if you have:

  • Cold/ flu symptoms
  • A bite or sting
  • Minor burns
  • Rashes
  • A cut needing stitches
  • Joint or muscle pain
  • A strain or sprain
  • Suspected broken bones (no visible bone)
  • A urinary tract infection

Of course, some conditions really are emergencies. The ED is the best place for treating severe and life-threatening conditions.

They offer the widest range of services for emergency after-hours care, including diagnostic tests, specialists and the option to be admitted to the hospital for longer-term treatment.

They’re also open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But emergency care is also the most expensive type of care.
Emergency conditions include:

  • Suspected appendicitis
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Bleeding that won’t stop
  • Compound fractures (broken bones you can see through the skin)
  • Head and neck trauma
  • Infants with fever
  • Seizures
  • Stroke
  • Sudden behavioral changes (can be a sign of brain injury)
  • Suicidal thoughts or actions

Keep in mind that even if your condition is on the emergency list, you may not be seen right away. The most severely ill or injured patients are always seen first.

Article provided by:
Salem Health
503-561-5200

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What is Hospice and Palliative care?

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There isn’t a single specific point in an illness when a person should ask about hospice and palliative care; it very much depends on the individual.

Hospice is traditionally an option for people whose life expectancy is six months or less, and involves palliative care (pain and symptom relief) rather than ongoing curative measures, enabling you to live your last days to the fullest, with purpose, dignity, grace, and support. While some hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities provide hospice care onsite, in most cases hospice is provided in the patient’s own home. This enables you to spend your final days in a familiar, comfortable environment, surrounded by your loved ones who can focus more fully on you with the support of hospice staff.

The term “palliative care” refers to any care that alleviates symptoms, even if there is hope of a cure by other means. It is an approach that focuses on the relief of pain, symptoms, and emotional stress brought on by serious illness. Your disease doesn’t have to be terminal for you to qualify for palliative care and, in the U.S., many palliative treatments are covered by Medicare. In some cases, palliative treatments may be used to alleviate the side effects of curative treatment, such as relieving the nausea associated with chemotherapy, which may help you tolerate more aggressive or longer-term treatment.

When is it time for hospice and palliative care?

It’s not time for hospice care and palliative instead of curative treatment if you are currently benefiting from treatments intended to cure your illness. For some terminally ill patients, though, there comes a point when treatment is no longer working. Continued attempts at treatment may even be harmful, or in some cases treatment might provide another few weeks or months of life, but will make you feel too ill to enjoy that time. While hope for a full recovery may be gone, there is still hope for as much quality time as possible to spend with loved ones, as well as hope for a dignified, pain-free death.

There isn’t a single specific point in an illness when a person should ask about hospice and palliative care; it very much depends on the individual.

The following are signs that you may want to explore options with hospice care:

  • You’ve made multiple trips to the emergency room, your condition has been stabilized, but your illness continues to progress significantly, affecting your quality of life.
  • You’ve been admitted to the hospital several times within the last year with the same or worsening symptoms.
  • You wish to remain at home, rather than spend time in the hospital.
  • You have decided to stop receiving treatments for your disease.

Article Resource: National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

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Tell your story – Funerals evolving into celebrations of life

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“The key to turning a service into a celebration of the life lived is through personalization,” said Bryan Michael

In recent years, funeral and graveside services have evolved from a formal or structured service with religious music, scripture, prayers and little or no information regarding the life of the deceased to a true celebration of a life remembered.

“The key to turning a service into a celebration of the life lived is through personalization,” said Bryan Michael, funeral home manager at Howell, Edwards, Doerksen and Belcrest Memorial Park in Salem. “This encourages family, friends and visitors to share memories of the decedent and how he or she relates to the personalized elements of the service or the items on display.”

Here’s just a small sampling of some recent services that were personalized to suit the life they celebrated:

  • At the suggestion of the funeral director a family brought in items related to the decedent’s work as a professional horseman for his visitation. Saddles, boots, numerous square bales of hay, partial fence structures and even a live horse in a make-shift temporary corral transformed much of the décor of the funeral home.
  • For the funeral of an avid hunter, the florist turned the funeral home chapel altar into a hunting blind, and the deceased’s hunting dogs were nearby in hunting position.
  • The funeral service for a cycling enthusiast displayed the decedent’s road bike and cycling medals next to the casket. At the cemetery, members from his cycling club escorted the hearse carrying his casket from the cemetery gates to the gravesite.
  • Photographs can easily personalize a service. Today, it is commonplace to feature not only photographs but also video tributes during the visitation.

Also, receptions at the funeral home, cemetery, or the family’s home after the service, are more the case today than the exception. Often, these receptions are personalized with food favorites of the decedent. “Shared meals have brought families together around funeral services since the beginning of time,” added Bryan Michael. “Traditional or contemporary, the funeral reception allows family and friends to continue spending time together sharing memories and comfort.”

For a further personalized approach, a certified funeral celebrant may be the more appropriate choice. Funeral celebrants specialize in creating a funeral ceremony experience that uniquely expresses the personality, lifestyle and interests of the person it honors. By working closely with you, the celebrant discovers your loved one through the stories you share. He or she can then design a fitting funeral service that incorporates your loved one’s interests or legacy through special and creative details. A personal eulogy, the perfect venue, thematic decorations, a special song or thoughtful keepsakes all may be part of a memorable funeral service planned and provided by a funeral celebrant.

Article provided by:
Bryan Michael, Funeral Director
Howell Edwards Doerksen with Rigdon Ransom Funeral Directors
503-581-3911
www.DignityMemorial.com

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Early warning signs of Parkinson’s Disease

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Sometimes it is hard to tell that you might have Parkinson’s disease. The early symptoms are mild and could have other causes making it challenging even for experts to confirm an early diagnosis.

Sometimes it is hard to tell that you might have Parkinson’s disease. The early symptoms are mild and could have other causes making it challenging even for experts to confirm an early diagnosis.
Some of the more common early signs of Parkinson’s disease are indicated below. If you are noticing these warning signs and have unexplained symptoms, tell your doctor and ask for an evaluation. Many of these symptoms are normal, caused by medications or other conditions. An expert will be able to evaluate and help you determine their cause.

  1. Tremor or Shaking: Tremor or shaking of limbs is a common early sign of Parkinson’s.
  2. Small Handwriting: A sudden change in handwriting, such as smaller letter size, may be a sign of Parkinson’s.
  3. Loss of Smell: Sense of smell can be changed by a cold, flu or stuffy nose, but ask your doctor if it persists.
  4. Trouble Sleeping: Even in sleep, Parkinson’s signs can be detected with sudden movements and thrashing while deeply asleep.
  5. Trouble Moving or Walking: Stiffness and rigidity that doesn’t go away when you move or walk.
  6. Constipation: If you do not have enough water or fiber in your body, it can cause problems in the bathroom. Also some medications cause constipation. Speak with your doctor if you are concerned.
  7. A Soft Voice: While not always an early symptom, a very soft or hoarse sounding voice might be caused by Parkinson’s disease.
  8. Masked Face: If others comment that you have a serious, depressed or mad look on your face, even when you are not in a bad mood it could be related to PD.
  9. Dizziness or Fainting: Feeling dizzy or fainting can be signs of low blood pressure and can also be linked to Parkinson’s disease.
  10. Stooping Over: Many people with Parkinson’s experience stooping, leaning or slouching when standing.

No single one of these signs means that you should worry about Parkinson’s disease. If you have multiple indications or are concerned, you should make an appointment to talk to your doctor.

For more information about Parkinson’s disease and local services to help contact Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon at 800-426-6806.

Article provided by:
Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon
800-426-6806

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The probate process – How it works and why it’s important

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The Probate process begins with the filing of a Petition for Probate and the court appointment of a personal representative (PR).

Probate is the process of collecting and distributing a deceased person’s assets under court supervision. The Probate process allows for an estate to be distributed to its heirs and creditors in an orderly and systematic manner, but unfortunately it is a process that many of us do not fully understand until someone we love has passed away.

What Happens During the Probate?

The Probate process begins with the filing of a Petition for Probate and the court appointment of a personal representative (PR). The PR is the person nominated by the decedent’s will or the Court to handle the legal affairs of the estate. During a Probate case the PR is responsible for:

  • Providing notice to all heirs and beneficiaries that a probate case is taking place.
  • Providing notice to creditors so they can file a claim for any debt owed to them.
  • Publishing a Notice in the local paper so anyone who has a claim against the estate can notify the PR.
  • Collecting estate assets and submitting an Inventory to the Court.
  • Submitting a list of creditor claims to the Court.
  • Paying the remaining taxes of the estate.
  • Providing a detailed accounting to the Court and to the beneficiaries.

When the Court provides the PR with permission to distribute the estate, the PR must pay all expenses and costs of administration and creditor claims first. The PR is also authorized to receive compensation for their duties. The remaining assets are then distributed among the estate beneficiaries.

Do I Need an Attorney?

Handling a Probate can often involve a number of complexities. Sometimes the Will is contested, there is estate property that must be sold, assets are owned in other estates or tax issues. The PR often becomes overwhelmed by the number of tasks they are responsible for and the high standards to which they are held by the Court. In order to make the process run smoother, it is highly recommended that the PR hire an attorney or law firm, such as McGinty and Belcher Attorneys, to assist them with the preparation and filing of court documents. By retaining an experienced attorney, you can avoid unnecessary delays and minimize any potential complications.
Article provided by: Kathy Belcher,
McGinty & Belcher Attorneys
503-371-9636

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Alzheimer’s Association – We’re here for you day or night

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If you or a loved one needs resources or support, call our 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900. We also offer many Web-based services you can access whenever and wherever it is most convenient for you.

The Alzheimer’s Association is here to help you any time. If you or a loved one needs resources or support, call our 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900. We also offer many Web-based services you can access whenever and wherever it is most convenient for you.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center

Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s often involves a team of people, and no matter your role, there is much to do and plenty to know. But it doesn’t have to be a lot of work to find the resources and support you need. The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center can help. While there, be sure to check out the Community Resource Finder and the Care Team Calendar.

ALZConnected

This online social networking community is designed specifically for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Members can connect and communicate with people who understand their unique challenges. They can also pose questions and offer solutions to dementia-related issues, create public and private groups organized around a dedicated topic and contribute to message boards.

Alzheimer’s Navigator

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease raises many questions. Alzheimer’s Navigator helps guide you to answers by creating a customized action plan and linking to information, support and local resources. Depending on the needs of the user, specific action steps are created for the following areas: planning for the future, working with doctors/health care professionals, caregiver support, activities of daily living, home safety, driving and knowledge of Alzheimer’s.

E-learning

The Alzheimer’s Association Oregon Chapter offers classes every quarter throughout the state, and some of our classes are also offered online — and are available 24/7.

“I Have Alzheimer’s”

“I Have Alzheimer’s” is a section of the Alzheimer’s Association’s website created with input from individuals living with the disease. It is easy to navigate and helps answers many questions, including:

  • How do others respond to their diagnosis?
  • What should I expect as the disease progresses?
  • How should I plan for my future?
  • How do I live day to day?
  • What resources are available through the Alzheimer’s Association?

This comprehensive website offers information and advice for people in the early stage of the disease. We encourage users to take their time and digest the content at a comfortable pace. They can return as often as needed; we’re always here to help.

Article Provided by:
Alzheimer’s Association Oregon Chapter
800-272-3900

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Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments

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OCWCOG supports local and regional members and their communities to develop solutions to common issues, and connect member governments, businesses and individuals

Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG) is a regional governmental entity created in the mid-1960’s by the local governments within Linn, Benton and Lincoln Counties. OCWCOG supports local and regional members and their communities to develop solutions to common issues, and connect member governments, businesses and individuals with a wide array of resources.

Over the years, OCWCOG has assisted our members and their citizens in a variety of areas; access to a wide variety of human service programs supporting older adults and people with physical disabilities, community development, economic development, and business lending programs. In addition, transportation services, transportation planning, and technology services are also available throughout the region.

Senior and Disability Services Programs:

  • SENIOR and DISABILITY SERVICES (SDS)—primary goal is to help older adults and people with disabilities preserve an independent lifestyle and support their desire to live in community settings rather than institutional care. The SDS program is a comprehensive direct service organization. By integrating a number of essential services, SDS helps individuals and families who need physical, emotional, medical or financial support to sustain a dignified, independent life. SDS programs include:
  • CASE MANAGEMENT—Case managers provide access to state and federally funded programs through assessment, options counseling and developing service plans for seniors and people with disabilities in Linn, Benton and Lincoln Counties.
  • INCOME AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE —Basic income and medical assistance are provided to qualified individuals through programs such as the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), Food Stamps (SNAP) and Medicaid Long Term Services and Supports.
  • ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES — Each year, staff members assist hundreds of people who experience abuse, neglect, exploitation or unsafe living environments.
  • SENIOR MEALS/HOME DELVERED MEALS — Over 200,000 meals are provided to our citizens living in Linn, Benton and Lincoln Counties each year through eleven meal sites.
  • INFORMATION AND REFERRAL — Staff with our regional Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) with offices in our Albany and Toledo offices, assist over 11,000 callers per year.
  • ADVOCACY — The Senior Services Advisory Council and the Disability Services Advisory Council provides an opportunity to become more involved in the issues and programs serving seniors and people with disabilities in the region.

Veterans Services

  • BENTON COUNTY VETERANS SERVICES — Helps veterans, their dependents, and their survivors apply for benefits from both the U.S. and the State of Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA).

Article provided by:
Oregon Cascade West Council of Government (OCWCOG)
Statewide Resource Directory of services available in Oregon
Albany: 541-967-8630, 800-638-0510
Corvallis: 541-758-1595, 800-508-1698
Toledo: 541-336-2289, 800-282-6194

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Don’t Get Distracted by Competition

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“The competitor to be feared is one who never bothers about you at all, but goes on making his own business better all the time.”
~ Henry Ford

How much time do you spend fussing about competition? Any time is too much! That’s time that could be spent focusing on your mission and your benefits and your growth. Know your competition, but don’t obsess or distract yourself. They may actually be a great referral source.
~ Amy

Character

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“Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.”
~ Norman Schwarzkopf

Strategy can be learned, or you can seek the counsel of others. Your character has been developed over years of thoughts, actions, and habits. Your character shines through when no one is looking, and when times are stressful it will be put to the test. Will yours pass the test?
~ Amy